Venice-Bound Elevated Horror Film ‘The Holy Boy’ Acquired by Fandango Sales as International Trailer Debuts (EXCLUSIVE)

Fandango Sales, the international sales division of the Italian independent production and distribution powerhouse, has taken international rights for Paolo Strippoli’s elevated horror film “The Holy Boy” (La valle dei sorrisi), which will make its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in a midnight screening slot in the Out of Competition section. Variety has been given exclusive access to the international trailer (below).

The film follows Sergio, a teacher tormented by his past, who is transferred to Remis, a secluded village known as the happiest town in Italy. It seems the perfect place for a new start, but Sergio soon discovers that behind the town’s joyful facade lies a dark and disturbing secret.

Each week, the villagers gather to meet Matteo, an introverted 15 year old. They say Matteo is an angel whose embrace can free one of all pain and sorrow. But as Sergio realizes the village’s relationship to the young man is not as benevolent as it seems, his attempt to save Matteo awakens the darker side of the community, and the boy everyone calls the angel of Remis.

Strippoli has already established his bona fide credentials in the horror and genre space. In 2019, he won the prestigious Franco Solinas Award for best screenplay for “L’angelo infelice,” written together with Jacopo del Giudice and Milo Tissone. In 2020, he directed the Netflix original “A Classic Horror Story” with Roberto De Feo, winning a best director award at the 67th Taormina Film Festival. His second feature, the psychological horror film “Piove,” was released in 2022 after screening in competition at the Sitges Film Festival, Austin Fantastic Fest and Alice Nella Città.

Strippoli commented: “‘The Holy Boy’ was born from a desire to explore horror not merely as a tool for suspense, but as a symbolic space to tell a story about the fragility of identity and the desperate need for belonging. In an apparently idyllic community where pain is forbidden and serenity is treated like a religion, Matteo’s journey unfolds: a queer teenager, both sacrificial body and redemptive figure. It’s a film about the vital role of pain in our lives. And about those brave enough not to smile.”

“The Holy Boy” is described by Fandango Sales managing director Raffaellla Di Giulio as “having the most crossover potential, including beyond the genre space, of any of Paolo Strippoli’s work so far.”

“The Holy Boy” stars Michele Riondino as Sergio (Billie August miniseries “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Dormant Beauty” by Marco Bellocchio) and introduces the young actor Giulio Feltri as the teenage Matteo in his screen debut. The cast also includes Paolo Pierobon (“Kidnapped” by Marco Bellocchio), Romana Maggiora Vergano (international box office sensation “There’s Still Tomorrow”), Sergio Romano (Cannes Un Certain Regard selection “The Last One for the Road”), Anna Bellato, Sandra Toffolatti and Roberto Citran.

“The Holy Boy” is produced by Domenico Procacci and Laura Paolucci for Fandango and by Ines Vasiljevic and Stefano Sardo for Nightswim, in co-production with Spok, in collaboration with Vision Distribution, with the contribution of the MIC, Lazio International, and the FVG Film Commission – PromoTurismoFVG. “The Holy Boy” is an Italy-Slovenia co-production between Fandango, Vision Distribution, and Nightswim with Spok, in collaboration with Sky.

“The Holy Boy” will be released in Italian theaters on Sept. 17 by Vision Distribution.